Spurs whip Cavs

CLEVELAND — The San Antonio Spurs downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105 on Wednesday, marking a successful return to the arena where they won the NBA title last season.

Manu Ginobili scored a season-high 46 points, including a career-best eight three-pointers, as the Spurs defeated the team they swept from the NBA finals.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was full of praise for the Argentinean.

"He’s one of the most unbelievable competitors I’ve been around," Popovich said.

"That’s why he has NBA championships and Olympic championships and European championships. He’s a pretty special guy."

Ginobili had 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs outscored Cleveland 41-30 in the final 12 minutes to wrap up their annual nine-game "rodeo" road trip 6-3.

The Spurs take the lengthy road trip every year when a rodeo is staged at their home arena.

"It was a special game," Ginobili said. "I felt like every shot was going to go in, and it did."

Tim Duncan added 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, while Ime Udoka had 12 points off the bench. Duncan said he was impressed with Ginobili’s shooting.

"He’s unbelievable when he gets going like that," Duncan said.

LeBron James had 39 points and nine assists for the Cavs while Larry Hughes added 26.

The Charlotte Bobcats snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 100-98 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks. Emeka Okafor had 20 points and 21 rebounds for Charlotte.

The New Jersey Nets were beaten 109-91 by the Raptors in Toronto. Chris Bosh had 27 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors.

Dwight Howard had 23 points and 24 rebounds as the Orlando Magic outlasted the Denver Nuggets 109-98.

The red-hot Detroit Pistons won their 10th consecutive game, downing the Indiana Pacers 96-80.

The Boston Celtics (41-9) head into the All-Star break with a five-game winning streak after beating the New York Knicks 111-103.

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 96-76. Dirk Nowitzki had a season-high 37 points for Dallas.

The Houston Rockets won their eighth game in a row, with Yao Ming scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in an 89-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings.